Press release

Classic battle opens second day of third round action in Sapporo

Italy beat Brazil in straights sets when the two teams played in 2007

Sapporo, Japan, November 12, 2011 – The second day of the third round of the FIVB Women’s World Cup throws up three mouth watering showdowns in Sapporo and another three intriguing contests in Okayama as day seven of the 11-day competition takes place.

The first match in Sapporo is a classic with defending champions and current World Cup leaders Italy and Olympic champions Brazil currently stationed in fifth place with 12 points and a 5-1 win-loss record. The Italians have triumphed in all their six matches for a total of 17 points out of 18 possible but admittedly will now face two of their toughest assignments over the next two days while the South Americans show three of their victories via five-setters. Italy crushed Korea in 1 hour and 7 minutes while Brazil, who is carrying the load of playing a tournament-high 26 sets, battled for two hours and 16 minutes before edging China. The duo of Paula Pequeno and Sheila Castro topped Brazil with 21 and 18 points against China but the decisive play was a block by Fabiana Claudino, who contributed 19 points. “Our service was not so good but we aim to improve it against Italy,” Brazilian coach Ze Roberto commented afterwards. Brazil leads 20-6 in the contests between the two sides including victories in the last four encounters dating back to two wins by Italy at the World Grand Prix in 2010 and the 2009 Grand Champions Cup, which Italy went on to win.

China v SerbiaChina suffered a heartbreaking loss to Brazil in five sets on Friday as the three-time World Cup winners slipped to fourth place with 13 points – one more than the Olympic champions. The Chinese have played 25 sets –one less than Brazil- and after an early lethargic start they are showing good life and improved game in every aspect. On the other side, Serbia (3-3 and 11 points) keeps going strong despite many injuries and the absence of some of their top star players. The European champions, who are perfect in three all-time outings against China, did a quick work Friday night gunning down hosts Japan in three sets that lasted 1 hour and 27 minutes in what was a replay of the preliminaries of the World Grand Prix when the Serbians left also victors in straight frames. “I think we will do everything we can to win against China,” Serbia’s coach Zoran Terzic said.

Japan v KoreaBoth teams suffered straight-set losses last night so Saturday will be a day to recover from crushing defeats. The tenth placed Korea was no-match for the powerful Italy by going down scoring only 44 points in the process while hosts Japan (3-3 and 10 points) didn’t show its usual fiery competitive spirit while succumbing to the hands of the imposing Serbia. “From the beginning to the end Serbia played the way they wanted and we could not play volleyball in our own rhythm,” Japan’s Saori Kimura stated. Korea’s star player Kim Yeon-Koung was rested after the first set against Italy probably to have her with plenty energy for the match-up against their Asian rivals. Japan held a 35-12 advantage in the head to head contest between the two sides.

In Okayama

Dominican Republic v GermanyThe impressive Germany team, currently placed third in the standings with 14 points and a 5-1 record, take on the eighth positioned Dominican Republic side. Both teams are coming of victories against the African representatives with Germany defeating Algeria in a match where they used mostly reserve players and Dominican Republic edging Kenya in four sets. “It was important to rest Angelina [Grun] as we also did with some of my other regular players,” Germany’s coach Giovanni Guidetti said. Tournament leading scorer Bethania de la Cruz registered 18 points to lead the Dominican victory and received accolades from coach Marcos Kwiek. “She is our star player and what many people don’t notice is that she is only 23 years-old,” Kwiek commented. Germany leads 5-3 in the head-to-head contests but the Dominican Republic won the last contest 3-2 in the 2010 World Grand Prix. In fact, each of the Dominican Republic’s three wins over Germany have been by a 3-2 scoreline.

Argentina v KenyaThe two teams will be playing each other for the second time in history with the first one going in favor of the South American squad at the 2002 World Championship held in Germany. The Argentineans have scored two victories good for six points against Dominican Republic and Algeria are confident of adding another “W” to its record as team’s top scorer Paula Nizetich commented after the loss to United States in straight sets on Friday night: “We lost to USA but learned from every point and I hope we can use that experience in our next match.” Kenya are still looking for its first points but coach Paul Bitok is satisfied with the attitude of his players. “Before we used to panic against the big teams and now we have more confidence.”

United States v AlgeriaThis first all-time match features two teams with different objectives as the Americans continue its campaign towards the London and Algeria is taking advantage of every opportunity to add experience to its young side. The USA bounced back from their first loss of the tournament against Germany with a convincing straight-set triumph over Argentina and are currently parked in second place with 15 points and a 5-1 record. The winless Algeria should not be big obstacle for the powerful NORCECA champions who appeared to be reinvigorated following their latest success. “Today we continued our journey to get to London and we were focused to win and put the smiles back on our faces,” USA Captain Lindsey Berg remarked.